Rear arrow nock with retention

Abstract

A nock for an archery arrow or bolt. The nock includes a radial indention configured to be engaged by a biased retainer of a trigger mechanism of a crossbow to retain the arrow or bolt in a desired position relative to the trigger mechanism and/or a bowstring. The radial indention may optionally comprise a groove defined generally continuously around a circumference of the nock. The radial indention is exposed when the nock is coupled with an arrow or bolt such that the radial indention may be engaged by a biased retainer within the trigger mechanism. The nock may further include a generally planar rearward bearing surface configured for being engaged by a bowstring. The nock of the present invention may be suitable for use with a multiple-shot crossbow or a single-shot crossbow. Other aspects of the present invention are directed to a projectile, a projectile retention system, and a crossbow.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A nock for a projectile, the nock comprising:
 a body including a forward segment and a rearward segment, wherein the forward segment is configured for at least partially engaging a rear end portion of the projectile; and 
 at least one radial indention defined in the body, the at least one radial indention being at least partially defined by the rearward segment; 
 wherein the nock defines a longitudinal axis, and wherein the rearward segment defines a rearward bearing planar surface that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; 
 wherein the at least one radial indention is a groove defined generally continuously around a circumference of the body and is configured to be engaged by a biased projectile retainer of a crossbow trigger mechanism. 
 
     
     
       2. The nock of  claim 1 , wherein the projectile is at least one of an archery arrow and an archery bolt. 
     
     
       3. The nock of  claim 1  further comprising a shoulder projecting radially outwardly relative to the forward segment, wherein the shoulder is configured for indexing the nock longitudinally relative to the rear end portion of the projectile. 
     
     
       4. The nock of  claim 3 , wherein the shoulder bifurcates the body of the nock between the forward segment and the rearward segment. 
     
     
       5. The nock of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the forward segment defines a first outer diameter; 
 the rearward segment defines a second outer diameter; and 
 the first diameter is smaller than the second diameter. 
 
     
     
       6. The nock of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one radial indention is defined entirely within the rearward segment. 
     
     
       7. The nock of  claim 1 , wherein the forward segment and the rearward segment are integrally formed together as a unitary structure. 
     
     
       8. The nock of  claim 1 , wherein the rearward bearing surface does not include any grooves, slots, notches or channels configured to wholly or partially receive or capture a bowstring. 
     
     
       9. The nock of  claim 1 , wherein the generally continuous groove and rearward bearing surface permit the nock to be installed into the projectile at any rotational angle. 
     
     
       10. The nock of  claim 1 , wherein the nock is configured so as not needing to be rotationally or angularly oriented relative to any vane or fletch of the projectile. 
     
     
       11. The nock of  claim 1 , wherein the generally continuous groove and rearward bearing surface permit the projectile to be oriented relative to a bowstring in multiple orientations. 
     
     
       12. The nock of  claim 1 , wherein when the at least one radial indention is engaged by the biased projectile retainer, the projectile is retained in position relative to at least one of the trigger mechanism and a bowstring. 
     
     
       13. A projectile having a nock, the projectile comprising:
 a shaft having a front end portion and a rear end portion, the shaft having a longitudinal axis, the shaft being positionable in a wide range of rotational positions; and 
 a nock at least partially extending from the rear end portion of the shaft, the nock comprising:
 a forward segment, wherein the forward segment is connected to the rear end portion of the shaft; 
 a rearward segment; and 
 at least one radial indention defined at least partially by the rearward segment; 
 wherein the nock defines a longitudinal axis, and wherein the rearward segment defines a rearward bearing planar surface that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; 
 wherein the at least one radial indention is a groove defined generally continuously around a circumference of the rearward segment and is configured to be engaged by a biased projectile retainer of a crossbow trigger mechanism. 
 
 
     
     
       14. The projectile of  claim 13 , wherein the projectile is at least one of an archery arrow and an archery bolt.